Poland's Euro 2012 football drive right on track

While the clock ticks down to the Euro 2012 draw in Ukraine, organisers in fellow host country Poland say they are ready for anything as they wait to learn which qualified nations will play where.

"We're really coming down to the very practical moment," said Marcin Herra, boss of PL.2012, the body supervising 300 interlinked projects for the European Championships, from stadiums to hotels and road and rail networks to airports.

Friday's draw in the Ukrainian capital Kiev will end months of speculation over who among the 16 qualified teams will play in which of eight cities.

The hosts will be watching like hawks -- and not only to see who their on-pitch adversaries are, because match location is a top issue at the quadrennial showcase.

Ninety percent is state funding, with around half of that in turn from the European Union -- 2004 entrant Poland can tap coffers that help poorer members catch up.

"Euro 2012 is a great occasion. Firstly to improve our infrastructure -- not only stadiums but also roads, railways and hotels. And then to improve our image on the international market," said Katarzyna Sobierajska, deputy sports and tourism minister.